Russell Westbrook is joining the Denver Nuggets with a clean slate ahead of the 2024-25 season, looking to re-establish himself as one of the best point guards in the NBA.
It has been seven years since the former No. 4 overall pick was on top of the world, as he won his only league MVP in 2016-17 after breaking Oscar Robertson’s record for most triple-doubles in a single season. Robertson recently appeared on the All The Smoke podcast to talk about his friendship with Westbrook and the one warning he gave him back then.
“I went out to see him in Oklahoma. I was happy for the guy. I said I wanted to tell you this, we were in a room by ourselves talking,” said Robertson. “I said I’m happy for you man, but they’re going to turn on you. I said they’re going to turn on you because they’re going to expect you to do this every night. And even if you do this and don’t win they’re going to blame you.”
“It’s unfortunate for Westbrook that they’re doing some of these things to him. “I think the guy is very valuable to any team he’s with, but somehow they want to blame somebody. Why blame him? The guy’s effective for you. He kept the franchise in Oklahoma going for years,” he added.
What will Russell Westbrook bring to the Denver Nuggets?
The Denver Nuggets signed Russell Westbrook this summer because they needed guard depth after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s departure. Despite the awkward fit, Westbrook will add a different dimension to the team next season.
Russell Westbrook is at his best when he pushes the basketball in transition, and his driving ability should give the Denver Nuggets’ shooters good looks. Also, in the past few years, he has shown he’s willing to come off the bench and still be effective.
In 2023-24, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 68 regular season games (11 starts). Those numbers would come in handy to bolster the Denver Nuggets’ bench production.
